Hand held, finger controlled switch device

ABSTRACT

A control device for apparatus is adapted for support on the fourth finger of a hand, has a housing of contoured shape to fit in the palm of the hand. A loop extends outwardly of one end of the housing for receiving and encircling the base of the fourth finger. Switches on other control units in the housing have operating members extending upwardly of the housing for operation by third and fourth fingers. Operating levers may be pivotally mounted over the operating members. Other clips on one of the levers and a lateral extension of the loop can provide additional stabilization from rotational movement of the control device on the fourth finger. Other operating members can extend laterally outward of the housing. The control device may contain units for actuating electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic apparatus and combinations of the aforementioned types of apparatus.

United States Patent Rackson [54] HAND HELD, FINGER CONTROLLED SWITCHDEVICE [72] Inventor: Chester B. Rackson, 22 Orchard Drive, Woodbury,NY. 11797 [22] Filed: April 5, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 131,359

1,199,710 9/1916 Newton ....200/DIG. 2 1,527,792 2/1925 French.......200/DIG. 2 1,230,943 6/1917 Sundh ..200/DIG. 2

[4 1 Oct. 24, 1972 Primary Examiner-J. R. Scott AttorneyLaforest S.Saulsbury & Hough ABSTRACT A control device for apparatus is adapted forsupport on the fourth finger of a hand, has a housing of contoured shapeto fit in the palm of the hand. A loop extends outwardly of one end ofthe housing for receiving and encircling the base of the fourth finger.Switches on other control units in the housing have operating membersextending upwardly of the housing for operation by third and fourthfingers. Operating levers may be pivotally mounted over the operatingmembers. Other clips on one of the levers and a lateral extension of theloop can provide additional stabilization from rotational movement ofthe control device on the fourth finger. Other operating members canextend laterally outward of the housing. The control device may containunits for actuating electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic apparatus andcombinations of the aforementioned types of apparatus.

20 Claims, 26 Drawing Figures PKTE'N'TEDncIu 1912 SHEET 1 OF 4 INVENTOR.

5| 26 BY CHESTER s. RACKSON P fwwq w Arm/W05 PATENTED I972 3.700.835

sum 2 or 4 INVENTOR. CHESTER B. RACKSON A 7 TURNE Y5 PATENTED 24 19723.7 00.8 35

sum 3 or 4 F|G.|6. Y CHESTER B. RACKSON A TTURWE Y5 HAND HELD, FINGERCONTROLLED SWITCH DEVICE This invention concerns a finger mountingcontrol device particularly adapted for controlling dental equipment,but generally applicable in other fields for controlling electrical,pneumatic or hydraulic apparatus, or the combination thereof, whereveran operator must retain freedom of arm, hand and finger movement whileretaining the control device in manual operating position at all times.

Finger and hand mounting control devices proposed heretofore have notproven practical in applications such as the dental fields because theywere mounted on or were held by fingers which must remain free forperforming other operations while the control device remains inoperating position in the hand. Typical of these prior control devicesor switch mountings are described in United States Pat. Nos. 879,254 and3,226,501.

The problem of providing a dentist or dental operator with apparatuscontrol means which can be instantly and continuously operated whileleaving the normally usedfingers and hands free for performing complex;operations, has been a particularly difficult one in the dental field.Generally, the expedient resorted to has been provision of a footcontrol switch or assembly to activate the dental drilling handpiece.This type of switch has many objections. It requires that the dentaloperator stand or sit in an unbalanced fashion with one foot relieved ofbody weight and constantly in a ready position for quick release ofpressure on the foot control switch. This is a very tiring position andprevents continuous efficient operation by the dental operator. The footcontrol constitutes a safety hazard since it is always underfoot and isattached to electric and pneumatic lines extending outwardly from thefoot control. The foot control is an unsightly, dangerous, inefficientdevice on an otherwise clear floor area.

The objections to the foot switch control have been recognizedheretofore. One proposed remedy described in US. Pat. No. 3,388,472 hasbeen provision of a mouthpiece connected via a pneumatic tube to apneumatic control device. While this eliminates the objectionable footswitch, it replaces it with an objectionable mouthpiece.

The present invention takes a new approach to the problem by providing anew hand held and operated control device which performs all the controlfunctions of a foot control switch, thus eliminating the need for a footswitch. The hand held control device fits comfortably in one hand,attached to the fourth finger or palm of the hand which heretofore hashad only very limited or no function in normal dental procedures. Thethumb and other fingers of the hand are free to hold a dental mouthmirror to retract a patients cheek and to perform other necessaryfunctions. The control device always remains in operating position byapplication of and for operation by the third and fourth fingers of thehand holding the device. Only light finger pressure is required tooperate switch buttons extending upwardly of the device which has acontoured housing to fit snugly in the palm of the hand. Levers can beprovided on the device for applying pressure to the switch buttons bythird and fourth fingers. The device enables continued use of a dentaldrill at variable or selected speeds with or without water coolant atthe will of the dental operatonRelease of pressure on a switch buttonimmediately stops revolution of the dental drill upon completion of aparticular operation or in case of sud den movement of the patient, butleaves the dentist's fingers and instruments oriented with respect tothe patients mouth position to resume operations as desired.

The control device may be arranged to convey signal impulses tocontrolled apparatus via a flexible, insulated cable. However, thedevice can be operated without external wires by enclosing a miniaturesupersonic or electromagnetic transmitter. The miniature size of thedevice enables rapid, more accurate on-off control of external circuitryand apparatus. Use of the control device results is lessened operatorfatigue, and prevents body disabilities heretofore caused by continueduse of foot control devices. General health improvement results becausebackaches, foot problems, neck strains, restricted breathing, shouldermisalignment, and other difficulties directly traceable to use of footcontrol devices are avoided.

Any desired number of independent or interconnected switches can beincorporated in the control device. Other and further features, objectsand advantages of the invention will become apparent from the followingdetailed description taken together with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top and front perspective view of a hand held first controldevice embodying the invention, with a circuit plug shown inperspective.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the control device.

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the control device.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view opposite from that of FIG. 2, taken online 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on line 5-5 ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the control device shown in a hand heldposition.

FIG. 7 is a side view similar to FIG. 2, showing a second controldevice.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of an operating levertaken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a third control device embodying theinvention.

FIG. 10 is an end view of the control device of FIG. 9.

FIG. 1 1 is a top view of a fourth control device, with a plug shown inperspective.

FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are opposite side views taken on lines 12-12 and13-13 respectively of FIG. 1 1.

FIG. 14 is an end view taken on line 14-14 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 is an end view taken on line 15-15 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the fourth control device shown in a hand heldposition.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the fourth control device shown in ahand held position.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a fifth control device.

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the fifth control device.

FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 are opposite side views taken on lines 20-20 and21-21 respectively of FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a sixth control device.

FIG. 23 is a top plan view of the sixth control device.

FIGS. 24, 25 and 26 are opposite side and end views taken on lines24-24, 25-25 and 26-26 of FIG. 23.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-6, there is shown a first control device S1comprising a closed housing 20, including a hollow base 21 and coverplate 22. The base has a contoured shape to fit snugly in the palm of anoperators hand I-I. Vertical end wall 24 of the base is substantiallyflat with rounded corners 25 merging smoothly into flat side wall 26 andcurved angularly disposed opposite side wall 28. The flat bottom 30 ofthe base has an upwardly extending angular portion 32 tapering to wedgeshaped end 34. The top rim 36 of the open top of the base is flat. Coverplate 22 overlays rim 36 and is removably secured by screws 38. Thechamber 40 inside the housing is effectively closed and sealed off fromthe external contaminents. The cover plate can be removed to provideaccess to internal parts in chamber 40.

The cover plate is provided with a lateral outer recess 42 and an innergroove 44 in both of which are slidably engaged respectively oppositesides 46, 48 of a U-shaped finger engaging loop 50. The cover plate isformed with an arcuate edge 54 facing the inner side of loop 50 todefine therewith a ring to receive the little or fourth finger F4 ofhand l-l. Loop 50 is a flexible or rigid member and is adjustably heldby screw 51 in the side of plate 22. Screw 51 extends through slot 53 inside 46 of the loop.

Mounted under the cover plate is a switch 56 having a sleeve 58 securedin an aperture in the cover plate. An operating spring biased pushbutton62 extends upwardly into slot 64 formed in the underside of operatinglever 66. Lever 66 is aligned with loop 50 longitudinally of the housingso the lever can be depressed by finger F4 as shown in FIG. 6. The leveris pivotally held by a bolt 68 engaged in a slot 70 formed in the levernear one end thereof. The bolt is secured into the threaded hole 71 inthe cover plate. The pushbutton 62 holds the free other end of the leverin an elevated position. A U-shaped leaf spring 72 can be provided atbolt to operate as a hinge, and to additionally assist in holding thelever in elevated position for preventing inadvertent downward movementof the lever against the pushbutton.

Another switch 74 is disposed laterally of switch 56 and is providedwith a sleeve 75 secured in aperture 78 in the cover plate. A springbiased operating pushbutton 80 in sleeve 75 extends upwardly of thecover plate for operating switch 74 by the third finger F3 of theoperators hand.

A further switch 82 is mounted inside of end wall 24. Switch 82 has ablock 84 set in a rectangular aperture 85 in wall 24. A plurality ofoperating pushbuttons 86 are provided for operating independent sectionsof switch 82. These pushbuttons extend outwardly of end wall 24 and canbe operated by the other hand of the operator for circuitry variations.

The several switches have leads 88 in chamber 40. These leads can beinterconnected in various ways depending on the external circuitry to becontrolled by the switches. Alternatively each lead can form one wire ofa flexible cable 90 shown in FIG. 1 terminating at a plug 92 havingindividual prongs 94 for the respective wires from the switches. Thisplug can be engaged in a suitable socket or receptacle of an externalcircuit controlled by the switches.

FIG. 6 shows the control device S1 held by the left hand H of anoperator. The fourth or little finger F4 extends through loop 50 whilethe housing 20 nestles snugly in the palm P near the right or outer edgeE of the hand. This leaves the thumb T and the first three fingers F1,F2 and F3 free for manipulating and operating other instruments. Whennecessary the third finger F3 can be depressed to contact switch buttonfor operating switch 74.

It will be apparent by the arrangement described, that the operator hascomplete freedom of movement of hand l-I. Cable is flexible and can beextended up alongside the operator's arm or disposed in any other way topermit freedom of hand and arm movement. Furthermore, the thumb andforefinger F1 and second finger F2 which are the most essential onesused in performing operations, are completely free. The third finger F3is also free and need only occasionally be used in operating pushbutton80. The little finger F4 normally rests on lever 66. However, it will beunderstood that it is possible to raise this finger from the lever toassist the other fingers in some operation, while the control devicewill be retained on the hand by the engagement of the loop 50 at thebase of the fourth finger.

The housing 20 is preferably made of plastic or light weight metal whichcan be sterilized. The tightly closed cover plate 22 will excludesterilizing fluids from chamber 40 where the electrical or controlcomponents are located.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show another control device S2 which is substantially thesame as device S1, except that two pairs of clips 95 are provided toserve as lateral finger grips on lever 66a. These clips will preventinadvertent lateral displacement of fourth finger F4 on the lever andwill prevent rotation of housing 20 around the fourth finger.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a third control device S3 which is similar todevices S1 and S2 and corresponding parts are identically numbered. Herea lateral extension 96 is provided on side 48a of loop 50a. Side 48aslides in groove 44a in cover plate 22a on base 21a. This lateralextension has a curved edge 97 against which the third finger F3 canbear to help stabilize the control device while held in the palm of thehand and to prevent rotation of the device around the fourth finger F4.Loop 50a receives the fourth finger F4 in the same manner as describedabove. Another lever 66b is pivotally mounted adjacent lever 66a foroperating spring biased pushbutton 80. This lever is provided with amounting bolt 68a and hinge spring 72a functioning for lever 66a in thesame way as bolt 68 and spring 72a serve for lever 66.

FIGS. 11 through 17 show a fourth control device S4 which is generallysimilar to devices S1, S2 and S3 and corresponding parts are identicallynumbered. In device S4, base 21d is formed with a contoured concaverecess 100 in the upwardly extending angular portion 32d of the bottomof the base. This recess receives the fleshy part of the palm and firstjoint of finger F4 so that the device is held more comfortably in thehand as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. The wider end of housing 21d is formedwith a convex bottom portion 103 and is contoured at edge 105 to fit thenormal concavity in the palm of the hand when holding the device. Thelever 66d is formed with a concave recess 102 at its upper side in whichfourth finger F4 seats comfortably. This arrangement enables theoperator to hold the control device comfortably for an extended periodof time without feeling fatigue and without interference with operationof instruments by the free thumb and fingers F1 and F2.

FIGS. 18-21 show a fifth control device S5, which is generally similarto the devices, S1, S2, S3 and S4, and corresponding parts areidentically numbered. In this device S5 there is a solid, rigid openloop 50 formed integral with the cover plate 22e. This loop has one end104 bent laterally in the plane of the cover plate and another end 106extending outwardly of the cover plate and terminating in a freedownwardly extending portion 108. This arrangement enables very rapidengagement of the control device on the fourth finger of the hand andrapid disengagement therefrom by an endwise and lateral motion. Also theopen structure of the loop enables fingers of different sizes to beaccomodated easily. The end 106 of the loop and downwardly bent portion108 are contoured to fit comfortably between the third and fourthfingers F3, F4 so that the device is held more stable and non-rotatablein the hand.

FIGS. 22-26 show a sixth control device S6 similar to the devicesdescribed above and corresponding parts are identically numbered. Indevice S6, a loop structure 50f is defined by an outwardly extended endportion 110 of the cover plate 22f and by a concavely curved end edge112 of the cover plate. The end portion 110 of the loop terminates in aflat plate 111 with laterally extending wings 1 15. These wings engageat inner sides of the third and fourth fingers of the hand. The fourthfinger engages at one lateral edge of end portion 1 10 of the coverplate and curved end edge 112. The third finger engages the loopstructure at the other lateral edge of end portion 1 10 and seats inanother concavely end edge portion 114 of the cover plate. To concavelycurved recesses 116, 118 are formed in the tapered portion of base 21fof the housing for snugly receiving joints of the third and fourthfingers. Two levers 66d and 66a are provided for operating respective pushbuttons 62 and 80. The arrangement of control device S6 is such thatboth the third and fourth fingers can quickly engage and disengage thecontrol device. While in use, the control device is effectively,non-rotatably and comfortably held in the hand.

It will be apparent that the control devices described are well adaptedfor use in dental operations. The devices will fit comfortably in thehand engaged with the fourth finger which heretofore has had limitedusage in normal dental procedures. However, this finger is stillavailable to operate when necessary simply by lifting it from theoperating lever while the device remains engaged at the base of thefinger.

The control devices described have utility in other than dentaloperating fields, wherever a hand held control device is required whichwill not interfere with arm, hand or finger movements of an operator. Itis possible to install a minature supersonic or electromagnetic wavetransmitter in the housing of the device. The transmitter will beoperable by one or more of the outwardly extending switch buttons. Inthis arrangement, the external cable 90 can be omitted.

The control devices for electrical apparatus can be converted byexchanging the disclosed electrical components to parts for controllingor actuating lines of fluid mechanisms such as pneumatic or hydraulicdevices. Furthermore, the control devices can be constructed to controlapparatus combining any two or more electrical, pneumatic and hydraulicequipment, units or devices.

While a limited number of embodiments of the invention have beendescribed it will be understood that many other modifications arepossible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A control device adapted for support in the palm of the hand of anoperator, comprising a housing having a contoured shape to fit snugly inthe outer edge of the palm of the hand while extending longitudinallythereof and of a size spanning but the third and fourth fingers thereof;a looplike structure extending outwardly of one end of the housing forreceiving and containing at least one of these fingers of the hand overthe outer finger joints and adjacent to the knuckle joint with the hand;and a control unit in the housing having an operating member extendingupwardly from the housing and in longitudinal axial alignment with theloop-like structure and at a location for engagement of and operation bythe free end of said fourth finger, whereby the thumb, first, second andthird fingers of the hand are left completely free for engagement withthe palm and other fingers to grip instruments and for performing otheroperations.

2. A control device as defined in claim 1, wherein said housing ishollow; and a cover plate removably attached to said housing, saidloop-like structure extending forwardly from the cover plate, the bottomand palm-engaging surface of the housing tapering to wedge shape withthe cover plate and toward the looplike structure so as to accommodatethe inner surface of the fourth finger below the finger joints andadjacent to the hand palm.

3. A control device as defined in claim 1, wherein said loop-likestructure is defined by a U-shaped member adjustably secured to thehousing and positionable to adjust the loop for receiving fingers ofdifferent sizes.

4. A control device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a leverpivotally mounted on the housing and overlying said operating member foroperation of same, said lever being disposed in alignment with saidloop-like structure longitudinally of said housing for operatingengagement by the free end of the fourth finger of the hand.

5. A control device as defined in claim 1, further comprising anothercontrol unit operating member extending upwardly of the housing foroperation by the third finger of the hand.

6. A control device as defined by claim 4, further comprising fingergrip means on said lever arranged to prevent lateral displacement of thefourth finger with respect to said lever, and to prevent rotationalmovement of said housing around said fourth finger.

7. A control device as defined by claim 1, further comprising a lateralextension at one side of said looplike disposed for contact andengagement by third same by the fourth and third fingers respectively ofthe hand.

10. A control device as defined in claim 1, comprising further controlunit operating members extending laterally outwardly of the housing forengagement by the upper palm area of the hand and squeezable thereby tooperate the unit.

11. A control device as defined in claim 4, wherein said housingcomprises a hollow base, and a cover plate removably attached to saidbase, said operating member extending upwardly from said cover plate.

12. A control device as defined in claim 1, wherein said control unit isan electrical switch.

I 13. A control device as defined in claim 1, wherein the contouredhousing is formed with bottom concave and convex portions to fit snuglyin and conform to the area of the palm surface of the hand and theadjacent surface of said fourth finger.

14. A control device as defined in claim 1, wherein said housing ishollow; and a cover plate removably attached to said housing, saidloop-like structure being integrally formed with the cover plate saidhousing.

15. A control device as defined in claim 14, wherein said loop structuredefines an open loop formed by a pair of projecting end portions of saidcover plate, one of the end portions being laterally bent to engage thefourth finger of the hand and the other end portion being bentdownwardly away from the cover plate to engage between the third andfourth fingers.

16. A control device as defined in claim 15, wherein the contouredhousing is formed with concave and convex portions to fit snugly in thepalm of the hand and to engage said fourth finger.

17. A control device as defined in claim 14, wherein said loop structuredefines open loops formed by a projecting end portion of the cover plateand adjacent concavely curved edge portions of the cover plate forrespectively receiving and engaging the third and fourth fingers, saidprojecting end portion of the cover plate having a downwardly bentportion for engaging between the third and fourth fingers, saiddownwardly bent portion having lateral wings for engaging inner sides ofthe third and fourth fingers.

18. A control device as defined in claim 14, further comprising a leverpivotally mounted on the housing and overlying said operating member foroperation by said fourth finger.

19. A control device as defined in claim 18, further comprising anotheroperating member extending upwardly from said housing; and another leverpivotally mounted on the housing and overlying said other operatingmember for operation by the third finger of the h d.

2032 control device adapted for support in the palm of the hand of anoperator comprising a housing having contoured bottom surface conformingto the outer edge area of the palm of the hand and to the inner face ofthe finger while extending longitudinally thereat and of a size spanningbut the third and fourth fingers thereof, a loop-like structureextending outwardly from the forward end of the housing for receiving atleast one of these fingers for the support of the housing within thepalm of the hand at the outer edge thereof, and a control unit withinthe housing and having an operating push member extending outwardlytherefrom and engageable by the palm of the hand upon the housing beingsqueezed by the third and fourth fingers of the hand whereby the thumb,first and second fingers of the hand are left completely free forengagement with the palm of the hand and the other fingers to gripinstruments and for performing other operations.

1. A control device adapted for support in the palm of the hand of anoperator, comprising a housing having a contoured shape to fit snugly inthe outer edge of the palm of the hand while extending longitudinallythereof and of a size spanning but the third and fourth fingers thereof;a loop-like structure extending outwardly of one end of the housing forreceiving and containing at least one of these fingers of the hand overthe outer finger joints and adjacent to the knuckle joint with the hand;and a control unit in the housing having an operating member extendingupwardly from the housing and in longitudinal axial alignment with theloop-like structure and at a location for engagement of and operation bythe free end of said fourth finger, whereby the thumb, first, second andthird fingers of the hand are left completely free for engagement withthe palm and other fingers to grip instruments and for performing otheroperations.
 2. A control device as defined in claim 1, wherein saidhousing is hollow; and a cover plate removably attached to said housing,said loop-like structure extending forwardly from the cover plate, thebottom and palm-engaging surface of the housing tapering to wedge shapewith the cover plate and toward the loop-like structure so as toaccommodate the inner surface of the fourth finger below the fingerjoints and adjacent to the hand palm.
 3. A control device as defined inclaim 1, wherein said loop-like structure is defined by a U-shapedmember adjustably secured to the housing and positionable to adjust theloop for receiving fingers of different sizes.
 4. A control device asdefined in claim 1, further comprising a lever pivotally mounted on thehousing and overlying said operating member for operation of same, saidlever being disposed in alignment with said loop-like structurelongitudinally of said housing for operating engagement by the free endof the fourth finger of the hand.
 5. A control device as defined inclaim 1, further comprising another control unit operating memberextending upwardly of the housing for operation by the third finger ofthe hand.
 6. A control device as defined by claim 4, further comprisingfinger grip means on said lever arranged to prevent lateral displacementof the fourth finger with respect to said lever, and to preventrotational movement of said housing around said fourth finger.
 7. Acontrol device as defined by claim 1, further comprising a lateralextension at one side of said loop-like disposed for contact andengagement by third finger of the hand to prevent rotational movement ofthe housing around the fourth finger.
 8. A control device as defined inclaim 7, further comprising another control unit operating memberdisposed laterally of the first named operating member and extendingupwardly of the housing for operation by the third finger of the hand.9. A control device as defined in claim 8, further comprising a pair oflevers pivotally mounted on the housing and overlying the first namedand other operating members respectively for selective operation of thesame by the fourth and third fingers respectively of the hand.
 10. Acontrol device as defined in claim 1, comprising further control unitoperating members extending laterally outwardly of the housing forengagement by the upper palm area of the hand and squeezable thereby tooperate the unit.
 11. A control device as defined in claim 4, whereinsaid housing comprises a hollow base, and a cover plate removablyattached to said base, said operating member extending upwardly fromsaid cover plate.
 12. A control device as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid control unit is an electrical switch.
 13. A control device asdefined in claim 1, wherein the contoured housing is formed with bottomconcave and convex portions to fit snugly in and conform to the area ofthe palm surface of the hand and the adjacent surface of said fourthfinger.
 14. A control device as defined in claim 1, wherein said housingis hollow; and a cover plate removably attached to said housing, saidloop-like structure being integrally formed with the cover plate saidhousing.
 15. A control device as defined in claim 14, wherein said loopstructure defines an open loop formed by a pair of projecting endportions of said cover plate, one of the end portions being laterallybent to engage the fourth finger of the hand and the other end portionbeing bent downwardly away from the cover plate to engage between thethird and fourth fingers.
 16. A control device as defined in claim 15,wherein the contoured housing is formed with concave and convex portionsto fit snugly in the palm of the hand and to engage said fourth finger.17. A control device as defined in claim 14, wherein said loop structuredefines open loops formed by a projecting end portion of the cover plateand adjacent concavely curved edge portions of the cover plate forrespectively receiving and engaging the third and fourth fingers, saidprOjecting end portion of the cover plate having a downwardly bentportion for engaging between the third and fourth fingers, saiddownwardly bent portion having lateral wings for engaging inner sides ofthe third and fourth fingers.
 18. A control device as defined in claim14, further comprising a lever pivotally mounted on the housing andoverlying said operating member for operation by said fourth finger. 19.A control device as defined in claim 18, further comprising anotheroperating member extending upwardly from said housing; and another leverpivotally mounted on the housing and overlying said other operatingmember for operation by the third finger of the hand.
 20. A controldevice adapted for support in the palm of the hand of an operatorcomprising a housing having contoured bottom surface conforming to theouter edge area of the palm of the hand and to the inner face of thefinger while extending longitudinally thereat and of a size spanning butthe third and fourth fingers thereof, a loop-like structure extendingoutwardly from the forward end of the housing for receiving at least oneof these fingers for the support of the housing within the palm of thehand at the outer edge thereof, and a control unit within the housingand having an operating push member extending outwardly therefrom andengageable by the palm of the hand upon the housing being squeezed bythe third and fourth fingers of the hand whereby the thumb, first andsecond fingers of the hand are left completely free for engagement withthe palm of the hand and the other fingers to grip instruments and forperforming other operations.